Akshar Centre for Hearing Impaired Children and Teacher Training

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 1 - 1 2

Education is not only a vital component but also a Right

under the Constitution of India. The new Right to Free and

Compulsory Education Act guarantees education to all

children in India from 6 to 14 years. Children with disability

should not to be left out of its ambit. India is also a

signatory to the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons

with Disabilities 2006.

Galbraith�s famous observation notes, �There is in our

time, no well-educated literate population that is poor, and

there is no illiterate population that is other than poor�.

It has been a long journey, but one which has also seen

many well-wishers sweep away the obstacles in the

path and offer us funding, space and moral support.

The underlying thinking in our work is that children are

children first. Whether the children are tribal, migrant

or those with disabilities, they all deserve a chance,

an opportunity to be educated. As the Sarva Shiksha

Ahbhiyan�s (SSA) motto ensures, �No Child Left Behind�

it must apply to those with disability as well.

About Us

Akshar Trust was set up to address these concerns. It

began its work with 5 hearing impaired/deaf children on

18th July 1988 in a small, rented shed in Fatehsinghrao

Gymkhana. It is today educating 151 children with a staff

of nearly 18 teachers, an audiologist, a speech teacher,

teachers' aides and other staff. The Teacher Training was

started 13 years ago and has trained 185 teachers till

date. As a not-for-profit, secular, charitable trust it has

endeavoured to provide hearing impaired children an

opportunity to be educated and thus get employed and

become independent.

The new �Free and Compulsory Education� Act has

strengthened the move in India towards Inclusive

Education. This follows a world wide trend of educating

Children with disabilities in regular schools. Akshar,

besides integrating 50 children since 1988, has been

consistently interacting with Regular schools for visits,

lectures and conferences. A national conference of the

National Convention of Educators of the Deaf (NCED)

was organised by the Trust in 2005.

Registered as a charitable Trust under the

Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 under

Sub Section, No. E/4063/Vadodara dated

29-03-1989

Registered under section 52 of the Persons with

Disabilities Act 1995 No. Gujarat/38 dated

01-08-1997

All donations are 50% exempted under section

80G (5) Of the Income Tax Act 1961

FCRA No. 041960087 dated 06-06-2003

(For Foreign Contribution)

100% Exemption under section 35AC of the

Income Tax Act 1961: F. No. 270/236/2004-NC

for Building Fund Vide Notification No. S.O.

No. 871 (E) dated 27/04/2011

Registered Under Section 12 (A) (a) of the

Income Tax act 1961, Dated: 13/04/1989.

No. BRD/SIB/110-8-A/88-89

Akshar Trust is a non-profit, voluntary and secular

organisation.

1

Dear Friends,

Children with disabil

ity in India appear

to have fallen off

the map. Data on

disability from Census 2

011 has not been rele

ased yet but some figures

which

are available indicat

e that employment among the d

isabled is 0.4% in pr

ivate

jobs and 0.5% in gove

rnment jobs.

Nearly 23,000 childre

n are born with dea

fness in India. Only

2/3 of these childre

n

get a chance to be

educated. Many tim

es being in school do

es not even ensure

literacy. They could

finish school and

have nothing in han

d, neither a school

leaving certificate

nor vocational skills

.

Akshar Trust has b

een working for 24

years to provide op

portunities such as

are provided to he

aring children. over

the years the work

has been made

possible only becaus

e of the support p

rovided by the community. This

is what

has sustained Aks

har. We have also

had an overwhelming respon

se to the

appeal for funds fo

r the construction o

f the new building.

The response has

come both from India and

from abroad. This suppo

rt and the confidenc

e it has

inspired has encour

aged us to strive f

or higher and bette

r goals. We believe

that the deaf can d

o everything except

hear.

Ms. Nisha Grover

Honourary Principal

& Managing Trustee

Deafness makes the acquisition of language and speech, a task of great

difficulty. A development that most of us take for granted, becomes one

which requires skilled intervention at the right time. If that does not happen,

the person is left with a bleak future. This is so because without language

and communication, no academics is possible.

Overview

Vision StatementTo make an individual with deafness lead a useful,

happy and fulfilling life is the endeavour of Akshar

Trust. Children with deafness deserve a viable

academic environment which will prove to be their

opportunity, perhaps the only one, towards a life of

self-reliance and dignity.

Akshar Trust has received an �Award for Excellence 2011

for Social Welfare by Individual NGO or Institution� from

the Federation of Gujarat Industries on September 10,

2012. Akshar Trust has also been provisionally

empanelled with the National CSR Hub of the Tata

Institute of Social Sciences.

No deaf child is refused admission Students come from every background Children with problems additional to deafness

are also admitted

100% of the students are subsidised. Not even

one student pays the required fees

Older deaf children are admitted

Admissions are open through the year Akshar is the only one of two Centres, for the

deaf in Gujarat, which is preparing students

for Std. 12th Gujarat State board exams

Till date, 26 deaf students have completed

Std. 10th & 19 have completed 12th Gujarat

State board exams

The bus is subsidised

CoverageChildren have been coming to Akshar for

education over the years from different

places in and outside Vadodara.

They have come in Gujarat from

Chhota Udaipur, Anand, Kalol,

Bharuch, Halol, Dabhoi, etc. Some

come from Rajasthan.

Salient Features

Educational Programmesat Akshar

Early intervention

Pre-school

Classes from 1 to 12

Akshar Trust in Vadodara, Gujarat,

is a charitable trust which has

been working for the education

of the deaf child for the past 24

years. The school is recognised

by the State Government.

Organisational Structure

Trustees

Honourary Principal & Managing Trustee

Akshar Centre for Hearing Impaired Children

Supervisor Teaching Staff Ancillary Staff | |

Early Intervention Pre-school Special school-> ->

Teacher Training Programme

Co-ordinator

Supervisor Faculty|

Lecturers Part time Visiting| |

Special Educators & Teachers for Co-curricular Activities like Art / Karate, Occupational Therapy

Co-ordinator

Trustee Profile

Name &Designation

Occupation EducationalQualification

Experience Key Associations

� Winner of several All India Competitions including the Vidhan Sabha of Goa

� Founder trustee Heritage Trust

� Instrumental in UNESCO�s World Heritage Site status for Champaner

� 1st architect in the world to win USGBC �Platinum� Award for greenest building in the world

Professional

architectural

firm since 1975

B.Arch-1974

M.Arch-1975

Architect Proprietor

Karan Grover

Associates,

Architectural firm

Mr. Karan Grover

Chairman

� Trustee- Heritage Trust

� Trustee - Bhasha Trust

� President - National Convention of Educators of the Deaf (NCED), India, 2010-2013

� Hon. Principal - Akshar Centre since 1988 & Teacher Training since 1999

� Governing Council Member - V-One Society

B.A. History

(Hons)1972

Certificate-

Teacher of the

Deaf Education

Audiology &

Research

Centre, Mumbai

1974 RCI-

AO1563

Hon. PrincipalMs. Nisha Grover

Managing Trustee

� President - Parsi Panchayat

� President - V-One Society

� Trustee - Shram Mandir Trust

� Trustee - Heritage Trust

B.Com 1956

A.C.A 1961

A.C.S 1977

ConsultantMr. Jal Patel

Trustee

Managing Director

& Chairman,

FAG Bearings

India Ltd.

� President and Trustee - Shram Mandir (leprosy eradication) Chairman

� Kachnar Trust (public service) Trustee

� Bharatiya Agro- Industries Foundation (BAIF) (rural development)

B.A. (Hons)

M.A.

ProfessionalMr. Hasmukhbhai

Shah

Trustee

Joint Secretary to

the Prime Minister,

Government of

India in Prime

Minister�s office,

Ministry of Finance,

P&T Board

2 3

Effective Educational ActivitiesEarly Intervention

A hearing child develops speech and forms basic language

concepts in the first 3 years. For any deaf child the training

process should start immediately upon diagnosis.

Akshar Centre is the first in Gujarat to have started an Early

Intervention Programme in 1978 before the formal Centre

took shape. The youngest child has been 12 months old. It is

a specially designed programme that aims to make the child

acquire language and speech skills so that she/he is a part

of the community and can get access to education.

Working with Amplification Devices

� An audiologist and a speech teacher work with

the students regularly.

� An ENT surgeon visits every week.

� Audiograms are done free.

� Parents are taught how to use and maintain the

hearing aids.

� All the equipment required for amplification is on the

premises. This includes Group Hearing Aids, Speech

Trainers, Audiometers including a digital one,

Induction Loops, etc.

� Free hearing aids are distributed to the more needy

students. Support has been extended by Siemens and

Samaj Kalyan Trust, Vadodara. 130 students have

been fitted with effective individual hearing aids.

Two mediums, Gujarati and HindiAkshar is the only school, out of 40 for the deaf in Gujarat,

which also offers Hindi as a separate medium of instruction

apart from Gujarati.

Mainstreaming

� Sunflower School

� Sayaji High School

� Sunrise School

� Navyug School

� Auxiliam Convent

� Vidyut board School

� Shreyas Vidhyalaya

� Prerna

� Little Flower School

� Convent of Jesus & Mary

� Mother�s School

Over 50 students have been completely integrated into

hearing schools over the years.

These schools are

Adaptation

Videography & Film

Akshar periodically makes videos of classroom teaching

for discussion and constructive feedback on improvement

of teaching methodology.

A film on Total Communication was produced by Akshar

for the RCI. A presentation of this was made at a

Workshop on �Communication Options and Course

Coordinator's Meet� organised by RCI from November

28 to December 2, 2011 at Chennai.

Technology

� P.M. Yadav School

� Urmi School

� R.U. Pandya High School

� Ambe Vidyalaya

� Anand Balwadi

� Bright Child Play School

� Shaishav School

� Basil School

� Baroda High School

� Krishna Hindi Vidhyalaya

� Stepping Stones

Adaptation of Curriculum and Textbooks is a

recognised practice all across the world for

the child with disability. Adapted matter

makes it easier to understand the text book.

Adaptation is done of the textbooks of Gujarat

State Board. This has been done since 2005.

Akshar is one of the very few schools for the

deaf in Gujarat which are adapting textbooks.

Paul Mason & Company

(PMC) has designed 'Student

Management System'

software for Akshar

students. This assists in

administration, a student�s

history, admission and time-

tables more effectively.

State-of-the-Art Equipment is used in the school

� Edusat - 1

� Tata Sky - 1

� Colour T.V. - 2

� LED & LCD with CPU - 3

� LCD Projector - 1

� DVD player - 1

� Music System - 1

� Digital Camera - 1

� Digital Handicam - 1

� Computers - 17

� Software �Linux� - 1

� A Special Software for speech called �Waghmi� - 1

� Students Management System Software designed by PMC - 1

Power Point Presentations are used for teaching the teacher trainees.

On going Programmes and PlansContinuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE)

Akshar has conducted 9 CRE programmes

till date. These are sponsored by the RCI.

Special educators, including principals and vice-principals from Gujarat and

Mumbai, have been attending lectures on deafness and teaching methodology.

The building includes

The Trust is also planning to set up a Cell to

expedite the work on the use of solar powered

low-cost batteries for hearing aids, so that these

become affordable to even the economically weak.

A low-cost mould-making facility is also planned.

A dialogue has been initiated for

working towards Universal Screening

of newborns in partnership with a

local hospital. This will be a step

towards effective Early Intervention.

We are in communication

with other Special Education

(HI) Schools in Gujarat who

want us to assist them in

their programmes.

The Right to Education Act 2009 makes provision for 25% of

seats in schools to be made available for �disadvantaged�

children, which includes children with disability.

Akshar Trust is working on being a resource centre by

organising conferences and workshops for regular schools.

Akshar is in the process of developing facilities at the new building site. This will extend our work to

rural areas where the need is most acute. This would include identification of deafness, fitting of hearing

aids, and the training of mothers with deaf children.

Spaces for the Infant-Parent

Programme and Counselling

Classrooms for the

Special School

An Audiology and

Speech Wing

Lecture rooms for the

Teacher Training programme

A space for Conferences /

School Programmes

A Computer Laboratory

and a Science Laboratory

Proper Games

facilities

A Library

A dialogue has been initiated with SSA for

the creation of audio-visual and printed

material for them. Conducting some of their

training programmes by Akshar for inservice

training has already begun.

We have proposed a series of talks/ conversations on radio on various aspects related to deafness.

A talk on �Deaf Education� was given by Ms. N. Grover on World Deaf Day September 26, 2012.

54

Deafness is an invisible handicap and the implications of deafness are not easily understood. With Early Detection and Early

Intervention many problems can be mitigated. Towards this end small publications in Gujarati / Hindi are planned for the

following groups.

� Primary health care doctors / workers,

anganwadi workers, nursery schools

� Regular schools, centres of higher learning

such as institutes & colleges

� Employers

Teacher TrainingAkshar started the Teacher Training Programme in 1993.

This was recognised by the RCI in 1999. The RCI is a statutory

body governed by the Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment, Govt. of India. 185 teachers have been

trained and 43 are completing their Course. The training is

conducted in both Hindi and Gujarati. It is in the last 2 years

that trainees have been coming from states other than

Gujarat. Akshar is affiliated with Baba Saheb Ambedkar

Open University (BAOU) for a 2 Year Distance Mode B.Ed

programme.

Uttar Pradesh28%

Punjab9%

Rajasthan54%

Gujarat7%

Himachal Pradesh2%

Trainees coming from various states 2011 and 2012

Parents

Cost Effectiveness

Parents of Early

Intervention students

are given guidance

and counselling

Parents attend Early

Intervention classes

where they observe

the teachers working

Language and Speech therapy,

Cognitive and Motor Co-ordination

Development along with Auditory

Training is demonstrated to the parents

Finger-spelling chart

is given which helps

them to communicate

with their children

Free accommodation in

school buildings without

paying rent since 1989

Intermittent Grant

from Central

Government

Free lunch from

Jalaram Temple

for students

Recycling of paper and cards - All rough

work in school is done on used paper

collected from offices and homes

Donations in kind like

computers, furniture,

hearing aids, etc. have

been a regular practice

Get donations

from individual

and corporate

companies

Akshar arranges to get scholarships from the Govt.

of Gujarat for students coming from a poor economic

background. This year scholarships for 46 students

were organised

Awards and CertificationsThe Nalanda Knowledge Foundation presented the Institution Building Award in 2007 to Ms. Nisha Grover, for her efforts over

the past 19 years for Akshar Trust.

Ms. Sweta Khare getting an award from the Rotary Club of Baroda in 2007

M.C. Sen Award for Best Theme Paper was

presented to Ms. Nisha Grover and The

Kadar Khan Award for Best Innovative Paper

was presented to Ms. Kavita Thakkar, and

Ms. Hema Kale at the National Convention

of Educators of the Deaf (NCED), a National

Conference organised by Akshar Trust in

February 2005.

Accreditation Certificate

The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has given �Permanent Recognition� to the

Teacher Training programme. Akshar was given Accredited Status by the RCI for

�Very Good Performance� in 2009.

Annual Report 2011-12

Ms. K. Thakkar went to Nari

Suraksha Kendra as an

interpreter for two deaf girls

who were having problems,

on June 21 & July 5, 2011

Ms. G. Parmar went to Faculty of

Fine Arts, M.S. University as an

interpreter for one of our alumni for

the final submission presentation,

on November 22, 2011

Many parents whose

children are not deaf, come

to Akshar. We refer them to

other centres. Nearly 25

have been referred till date

Students from various schools of Vadodara

also visit Akshar

125 students from Sant Kabir School interacted

with Akshar students, on August 25, 2011

The Interact Club, Billabong High International School celebrated Children�s Day with Akshar students.

Games were played and Akshar students taught them finger spelling, on November 14, 2011

6 7

Activities

Student Activities

Students learn computers from Std. 5 using software,

such as �Linux�

50 students have received individual / small group

speech therapy for the development of speech

Parent counselling was organised as part of the

�Disability Week� in December

Individual counselling of students is done and

Behavior Modification Awards are given

Medical

Guided by Dr. A. Kuruvilla, a student identified many

children as �anaemic�. Akshar procured Iron and Folic

Acid tablets from the Corporation for distribution

Two Medical Interns, Dr. G. Sherathiya

& Dr. M. Nagdia, examined the students

Interesting Activities

A group of young mothers visited and donated

drawing material, on June 22, 2011

90 Municipal Corporation school teachers

(Vadodara urban) with the IED Coordinator, SSA,

Mr. K. Joshi visited on September 28, 2011 and

80 Special Educators of SSA (Vadodara District)

visited on January 21, 2012

Amway Opportunity Foundation

Has been supporting some activities at Akshar. They took 83 students to �Fun Time Arena�, besides providing transport and lunch | June 28, 2011

Organised a Medial Check-up Camp for 75 students Medicines & vitamins were given | July 18, 2011

Mr. Jignesh Mehta, Amway Metro, Mumbai, visited the Centre with two officers from Vadodara | August 30, 2011

A Magic Show was organised and the students were given snacks | November 24, 2011

A Drawing Competition was organised in which 17 students of Akshar and 35 students of other schools, took part. Gifts and snacks were distributed | March 25, 2012

Administrative Activities

Date Person Programme Organised by Comments

Project submission

and formulation

Conducted by Mr. B.N.

Dastoor, Trainer &

Management Consultant

Formation of trusts,

accounting, taxation

and FCRA

United Way of Baroda

United Way of Baroda

Institute of Chartered Accountants

of India (Vadodara) supported by

United Way of Baroda

Meeting of

Affiliated NGOs

Training Programme

for Top Level

Management

Charitable Clinic for

Trustees of NGO

June 18, 2011

March 01, 2012

March 23, 2012

Ms. K. Thakkar

Ms. K. Thakkar

Mr. D. Jani

Teacher Training Activities

The Teacher Training entered the 13th year

in 2011-12. Two new faculty members have

been appointed, Mr. Rajendra Pandya,

M.Ed. and Mr. Premal Desai, M.Ed.

Total Students 13

First Class 11

Second Class 2

7th Continuing Rehabilitation Education

(CRE) programme was conducted. This five-

day programme was on �Development of

Literacy�, sponsored by Rehabilitation

Council of India (RCI), from December 12

to 16, 2011. Visits were made by trainees

to Kamlaben Vidyalaya, K.G.P. Children�s

Hospital, Spandan School for MR students

& Aurobindo Ashram, in Vadodara.

Results for the year 2009-11 batch

Dr. K.B. Sharma &

Dr. Shradhha came to

approve the proposal

made by Akshar for

B.Ed SEDE (HI) from

Babasaheb

Ambedkar Open

University on

September 19, 2011.

Faculty Activities

Date Faculty Organised by Subject

An Introductory Indian Sign Language Course

'Quality Awareness & Promotion of Special

Education through Distance Mode' and

Coordinator's Meet

National workshop on Communication

Options to Teach the Deaf.

(RCI & Balavidyalaya), Chennai

77th NCED Annual National Conference

on Inclusive Education

Seminar on RCI Act, PWD Act and Auditory

Verbal Therapy

External Examiner for B.Ed. examination

Global Commitments towards Inclusive

Development of Persons with Disabilities

External Examiner for B.Ed. examination

AYJNIHH, Mumbai

RCI, New Delhi

RCI, Chennai

NCED-India, Bareilly

ISHA, Nadiad

M. P. Bhoj Open

University, Indore

International Conference,

IARP, New Delhi

M. P. Bhoj Open

University, Indore

May 2 - 13, 2011

July 26 - 27, 2011

November 28 to

December 2, 2011

February 5 - 7, 2012

February, 2012

March, 2012

March 17 - 19, 2012

March 23, 2012

Ms. G. Parmar

Ms. H. Kale

Mr. R. Pandya

Ms. N. Grover

Ms. H. Kale

Ms. G. Parmar

Mr. R. Pandya

Ms. K. Thakkar

Mr. R. Pandya

Mr. R. Pandya

Ms. H. Kale

Mr. P. Desai

98

Ms. N. Grover was a resource

person at the workshop on

'Communication Options' and

Course Coordinators Meet

organised by RCI from November

28 to December 2, 2011 at

Chennai. She made a

presentation on 'Total

Communication' and showed the

film on it, produced by Akshar

Trust and sponsored by RCI.

Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand

Chapter of NCED India organised the

77th National Conference at Bareilly,

from February 5 to 7, 2012. Ms. N.

Grover, now President of NCED India,

was one of the keynote speakers at

the conference. Nearly 300

delegates attended. Three faculty

members of 'Teacher Training' and

Four Special Educators from the

Centre were present.

The Teacher Training faculty has also

started a project, �Investigating the

Status of Hearing Impaired children

under Inclusive Education in

Vadodara District�. This is an

on-going project. Responses from

214 schools in the rural areas and 71

schools in the urban area have been

complied. A preliminary report was

presented at the National Conference

at Bareilly in February 2012.

Annual Events

Picnics

65 students, of Std. 1st to

5th, went to Ajwa-Nimeta,

on December 26, 2011.

On January 12, 2011, 44 students, of Std. 6th to 12th, went to �Gamthi Resort� on

Orsang River. They trekked in the jungle, saw the Green House and walked across the

Orsang River. It was a memorable day.

Sports Day

On Wednesday, February 22, 2012, Akshar celebrated its 16th Sports Day at E.M.E. School. Mr. Vinod Rao, Collector

and District Magistrate, was the Chief Guest. There was a display of various drills, including dumb-bells, lazim and

karate. Nehru House won the House Trophy, second time in a row.

Dates of Interest

Date No. of Students

Event Activities

Senior students took over the teaching

Students came in traditional garba dress

Students came in colourful dresses and took part in rangoli, painting & mehndi. They also played throw ball

Painting competition. Students got snacks & three students got prizes

Students painted as well as made clay and thermocol models of Navlakhi stepwell

Celebrated

Students took part in competitions like carrom, rangoli, pot-design and drawing

Chocolates to children

Teacher�s Day

Garba Celebration

The Last Working Day of First-term

World Disability Day - Rally

World Disability Day

Awareness of Water Conservation

Holi-Dhuleti Celebration

�Prerna� - The Emancipation

Rakshabandhan Celebration

Student Elections

05/09/11

03/10/11

21/11/11

03/12/11

04/12/11

20/01/12

07/03/12

31/07/11

12/08/11

25/08/10

145

155

150

7

9

37

140

33

110

125

Organised by

Akshar Trust

Akshar Trust

Akshar Trust

United Way of Baroda

V-One Society

Heritage Trust

Akshar Trust

Faculty of Technology & Engineering, M.S. University

Akshar Trust

Akshar Trust Head BoyRashid Kadri

Vice-captainHouse Captain

Head GirlMahin Sayyad

- Dhiraj Suthar- Sakshi Sharma - Dishant Machhi

NehruTagoreGandhi

- Nimesh Aggrawal - Tushar Sadhu - Nishang Panchal

Field Trips

Date No. of Children

08/09/11

04/10/11

02/03/12

17

10

25

Location

Visited Ganpati Idols

Kamati Baug

Kamati Baug

1110

Name of Donor INR

Fund Raising | May 2011- April 2012

Break up of Donations

Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd.,Vadodara

Pirojsha Godrej Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. Jamshyd Godrej, Mumbai

Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, New Delhi (2nd Installment 2010-11)

United Phosphorous Ltd.,Mr. & Mrs. Rajju Shroff, Mumbai

G.H. Patel Charitable Trust, Vadodara

Munjal Auto Ind. Ltd.Mr. & Mrs. Sudhir Munjal, Vadodara

Mr. & Mrs. Piyush Shah, Vadodara

Standard Radiators, Mr. & Mrs. Praveen Singh, Vadodara

Mr. Vijay Chowgule, Goa

United Way of Baroda, Vadodara

Blue Star Foundation,Ms. Sushila Ochani, Mumbai

Shroff Family Charitable Trust, Mr. & Mrs. Atul Shroff, Mumbai

Mr. & Mrs. Nandkishore Dalmia, Vadodara

Mr. Mahesh Patel, U.K.

Thackersey Moolji Charity Trust, Mr. & Mrs. Chandrahas Thackersey, Mumbai

Uday Education Society,Mr. & Mrs. Chirayu Amin, Vadodara

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd.,Mr. & Mrs. Chirayu Amin, Vadodara

Kachnar Trust,Mr. & Mrs. Hasmukh Shah,Vadodara

Banco Products (India) Ltd.,Mr. & Mrs. Vimal Patel, Vadodara

M/S. F.P. Patel & Co. (Vendors),Vadodara

M/S. F.P. Patel & Co. (Trade & Import), Vadodara

Mr. Jal R. Patel, Vadodara

Mr. Shirish R. Beri, Nashik

K.K. Patel Foundation,Mr. & Mrs. Vimal Patel, Vadodara

Mr. & Mrs. Ruhshad Boman Rustom Cama,Vadodara

Blue Star Foundation,Mr. B. Thiagarajan, Mumbai

Lion�s Club of Baroda - Taramandal, Vadodara

Ms. Rashmi Manu Shroff, Vadodara

Ms. Amarben Patel, Vadodara

360,000

200,000

166,725

125,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

90,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

45,000

40,000

15,000

15,000

15,000

15,000

11,000

11,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

Mr. & Mrs. Ashok Nehru, New Delhi

Ms. Chaula Jain and Mr. Jitendra Jain, U.S.A.

Ms. Pritika Parikh, Vadodara

Mr. & Mrs. Rustom Ginwalla, Vadodara

Ms. Roshan B. Cama, Vadodara

Ms. Hemlata K. Chavan, Vadodara

Mr. Ravi Kapoor, Vadodara

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, IED Unit, Vadodara

Mr. Deep Pandya, Vadodara

H.F. Patel Memorial Trust, Mr. & Mrs. Atul Patel, Vadodara

Leherchand Uttamchand Trust Fund,Mr. & Mrs. Nirmal Bhogilal, Mumbai

Mr. & Mrs. Gulammohammed Sheikh, Vadodara

Mr. & Mrs. Hector Patel, Vadodara

Tristar International,Mr. & Mrs. Jagdeep Buddhiraja, Vadodara

Ms. Rachna Patel, Vadodara

Mr. Rustomji (Rusi) F. Patel, Vadodara

Mr. & Mrs. K.G. Ramanathan, Mumbai

Equip Engineers India Pvt. Ltd.,Mr. & Mrs. Kamal Sawhney & Mr. & Mrs. Arun Sawhney, Mumbai

Mr. Dibendu Bose, Kolkata

Ms. Nirali Shah, Vadodara

Ms. Dhwani Mehta, Vadodara

Paul Mason Consulting staff, Vadodara

Mr. & Mrs. Kunal Patel, Vadodara

Ms. Raxa Shah, U.K.

Ms. Sakuben Desai, Vadodara

Mrs. Rita K. Shah, Mumbai

10,000

8,000

7,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

3,330

2,500

2,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

25,000

21,000

20,000

15,000

15,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

1,850

1,000

600

500

500

INRName of Donor

Companies41%

Individuals24%

United Way of Baroda4%

Trusts15%

Foundations16%

Break up of Donations

Name of Donor INR

Donations for FCRA Account | May 2011- April 2012

United Technologies Corporation � Mr. Andrew Olivastro, USA (125,000 USD)

Vidya Vikas Charitable Trust � Mr. Ashok Mehta, USA (5,000 USD)

Rathbone Investment Management Ltd. � Mr. Chris Andre, London (500 GBP)

Prosea International Ltd. � Mr. James Fitzgerald, South Africa (200 USD)

6,476,369

241,148

37,670

10,460

Name of Donors Item

Donations in Kind | May 2011- April 2012

Samaj Kalyan Trust, Vadodara

V-One Society, Vadodara

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Vadodara

Ms. Tinno Chawla, Vadodara

Mr. & Mrs. Kunal Patel, Vadodara

Mr. Sundara Raman R., Vadodara

Ms. Kusum Patel, Vadodara

Paul Mason Consulting staff, Vadodara

29 BTE & 6 Pocket Hearing Aids

23 BTE Hearing Aids

Two BTE & 22 Pocket Hearing Aids

62 small button cells

Hearing Aids ancillaries

One computer set with UPS (used)

14 dozen stainless spoons, two big mats & two small mats

Kites for children

� Ms. Minal Patel

� The Nielsen Company

� Mr. Dhirubhai Mistry

� Ms. Shakuntala Desai

� Mr. S.M. Jhala

� Ms. Nita Wig

� Ms. Nirali Shah

The following people distributed stationery items

� Ms. Kavita Thakkar

� Mr. Pranav Mistry

� Ms. Sheena & Mr. Rishi Patel

� Mr. Tushar Damani

� Dr. Bharti Pandey

� Mr. & Mrs. Karan Grover

� Ms. Roopa Soni

� Mr. Pradip Pathak

� Mr. Kanubhai Patel

� Ms. Kanchan Soni

� Mr. Maganlal Soni

� Mr. Raju Soni

� Mr. Chirag Borkar

� Ms. Sharda Patel

The following people distributed pastries and snacks

� Mr. & Mrs. Pratik S. Desai

� Mr. Satish Mandovara

� Ms. Tejal Amin

� Ms. Gauri Sarwaiya

� Mr. Sandeep Kothi

� Maj. Gen. & Mrs. Rajesh Datta

� United Way of Baroda

� Amway Opportunity Foundation

� Mr. Atul Shroff � Mr. Shivinder Chawla � Mr. Rustom Ginwala

The following friends gave Akshar a discount on building materials

1312

ConsultantsSpeech Pathologist and Audiologist

Ms. Falguni Shah

Clinical Psychologist

Ms. Pubali Basu

Dr. P.N. Saini

ENT Surgeon Karate Teacher

Mr. James George

Ms. Unnati Patel

Occupational Therapist

Voluntary Work

Dr. Bharatiben Modi has been actively involved with the

Centre since 1993.

Mr. Kavirath Jain had volunteered to teach maths to

Std. 10th students from July to August, 2011.

Further information:

Till April 2012, we have not

received 50% grant-in-aid from

Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment, Government of

India for the year 2009-10.

No grant has been received for

2010-11 and 2011-12 till date.

ONGC, India has been supporting the

education of 30 hearing impaired girl

students since 2003. This assistance

has helped the trust to provide quality

education & training. The ONGC Officers

Mahila Samiti donated 900 notebooks

for the students.

United Way of Baroda has been

helping Akshar Trust for many years

and was the first to fund the

activities in 1989. It has given a

grant-in-aid for 1 LED with CPU,

portable hard disk & educational

software in 2011-12.

Pirojsha Godrej

Foundation, Mumbai,

has generously

supported the

activities of the Trust

for the past 4 years.

Mr. Dhirubhai

Mistry, President,

Lions Club of

Baroda (Main),

Vadodara donated

stationery items

for the entire year.

The Rajiv Gandhi

Foundation has

been largely

supporting the

Early Intervention

Programme of

Akshar Trust since

October, 2004.

Paul Mason Consulting staff, Ms. Shaili

Jain, Ms. Sejal and others are helping

in developing a website for Akshar

Trust. They are also helping in

adaptation of text. An alumnus is

working with the company and they

have offered to take more students

from Akshar.

1514

Teacher Training StaffCore and Part Time Faculty

1. Ms. Nisha Grover 2. Ms. Hema Kale 3. Ms. Geeta Parmar 4. Mr. Rajendra Pandya

Visiting Faculty

5. Mr. Premal Desai 6. Ms. Falguni Shah 7. Ms. Pubali Basu

1. Dr. Bharati Modi 2. Dr. P.N. Saini 3. Ms. Rohini Haldankar 4. Ms. Kavita Thakkar

Visitors

Mr. Shetti

Akshayapatra Foundation

Vadodara

September 2, 2011

Ms. Mamta Prasad

Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd.

Mumbai

September 15, 2011

Mr. Sanjeev Gandhi

�Reach To Teach�

London

October 11, 2011

Ms. Sadhna Sapre

Mookdhwani Vidyalaya

Mumbai

November 9, 2011

Maj. Gen. & Mrs. Rajesh Datta

Commandant, EME School

Vadodara

April 18, 2012

Dr. Bharti Pande

President, Mahila Samiti, ONGC

Vadodara

April 19, 2012

Mr. Shashi Prasad

and Mr. Curran Prasad

USA

November 22, 2011

Mr. Thomas Parr

England

December 5, 2011

Mr. Dhiru Mistry

President, Lions Club of

Baroda (Main), Vadodara

January 17, 2012

Ms. Aruna Lakhani & Mr. Atul Patel

Federation of Samaj Kalyan Trust

Vadodara

January 19, 2012

Ms. Gyan Dalmiya

Vadodara

January 20, 2012

Ms. Tejal Amin

Vadodara

January 24, 2012

Our Special Gratitude to� Shikshan Samiti (School Board) and the Municipal

Corporation of Vadodara, for giving us temporary

accommodation in a corporation school building in

the old city area

� The EME School for giving us the Eugene Stadium

to hold our Sports Day year after year

� Mr. Manishi Bhatt of Manishi Enterprise

for all the building activities

� Jalaram Temple for the mid day meal for the past 18 years

� The staff of Karan Grover & Associates, Mr. Mihir Ashara,

Mr. Bhupendra Patel, Mr. Mukesh Patel, Mr. Jojo Jacob,

Mr. Thomas, Mr. Kishor Mohite and Mr. Umesh Mistry

� Mr. Alkesh Shah, Chartered Accountant, for auditing

the accounts of Akshar Trust since 1988 in an

honorary capacity

� Mr. Jatin Vakil for helping Akshar in land related issues

for the new school building

� Mr. Rajesh Parikh for his continuous and wholehearted

support to all the activities for the past many years

� Cognito for designing the Annual Report 2011-12

� The Chairman, Mr. Karan Grover, Trustees

Mr. Jal Patel and Mr. Hasmukh Shah

Parent�s Profile and Occupation

Occupation Percentage

Vegetable vendors 3.00

Garage workers 3.00

Peons 0.64

Labourers 9.61

Domestic workers 1.28

Drivers 8.33

Shopkeepers 10.90

Occupation Percentage

Small Business 11.54

Jobs in small Companies 33.97

Lawyers, Teachers,

LIC agents, Accountants 4.49

Government jobs 7.69

Unemployed 3.20

Parent deceased 1.92

Academic Background of StudentsKanaka Bhat M.Com, M.S. University

Manisha Sindkar M.Com, M.S. University

Shrenik Shah B.Com, Sardar Patel University

Ruchit Shitole B.Com., M.S. University

Dhara Panchamiya B.Com., 3rd year, M.S. University

Pratik Shah B.Com., 3rd year, Gujarat University

Vishal Badgujar,B.Com., 3rd year, Gujarat University

Aditya Bhalerao,B.A., Fine Arts, M.S. University

Parth Shah Computer Designing, Nadiad

Ankit SimloteCisco Certification, Online Certificate Course

Vibhav SimloteEnglish Language, Gallaudet University, USA

Swetal Parekh B.A., Fine Arts, M.S. University

Teena ThomasB.Sc., Home Science, M.S. University

Pinal PilojparaComputer Application, ITI, Vadodara

Anshu JhaComputer Application, ITI, Vadodara

Placement / EmploymentFenil Parekh Graphic and Web Designer

Teena ThomasTrainee Designer

Vandana Rohra* Test Analyst, Paul Mason Consulting

Ruchit Shitole Trainee, Paul Mason Consulting

Sonu Shukla Telecom Mechanical Engineer, Army

Dhrupa Patel Asst. Teacher (Sp. Ed.), Akshar

Payal Kayasth Asst. Teacher (Sp. Ed.), Umang

Reema Chokshi Beauty Salon

Akshita Bhrahambhatt Beauty Salon

Vivek Vadhera Tailoring

Mohammad Pathan Electrician

Nilesh Pillai Salesman, Grocery store

Jaya Chaudhary Toothpaste Company

Sunil Damor Packaging, GIDC

Anshu Jha Computer Operator, I.T.I.

* Vandana Rohra has

cleared ISTQB Exam with

65% and is a certified

Software Analyst at Paul

Mason Consulting.

Almost all these children

have been with us since

their childhood. They have

all been through the Early

Intervention Programme.

The following students from the above table are pursuing further studies along with their jobs

Fenil Parekh B.C.A. IGNOU, Distance Mode

Vandana Rohra B.C.A. IGNOU, Distance Mode

Amit Jha B.C.A. IGNOU, Distance Mode

Manisha Sindkar Accountant, ONGC

Pradeep Kashyap Railways

Gayatri Prasad Transpek Silox

Amit Jha Storekeeper, Polymer Technology International Co.

Leena Bendade Data Designer, Pvt. Software Co.

Rushibha Patel Data Entry Operator

Zainab Lokhanwala Beauty Salon

Major Donors since the beginning

Name of Donors

� Mr. Karan Grover,

Vadodara

� Mr. Jal Patel,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Hasmukh Shah,

Vadodara

� Mr. Indubhai Patel,

Vadodara

� Mr. K. K. Grover,

Mumbai

� Mr. & Mrs. Jagdeep Buddhiraja,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Chirayu Amin,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Girish Mehta,

USA

� Mr. & Mrs. Percy Muncherji,

Singapore

� Mr. & Mrs. Tushar Dayal,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Rajju Shroff,

Mumbai

� Mr. & Mrs. Jamshyd Godrej,

Mumbai

� Mr. & Mrs. Chandrahas Thackersey,

Mumbai

� Mr. & Mrs. Atul Patel,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Paresh Saraiya,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Atul Dalmia,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Sudhir Munjal,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Atul Shroff,

Mumbai

� Mr. & Mrs. Vimal Patel,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Nandkishore Dalmia,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. D. Patel & Manan Patel,

USA

� Mr. & Mrs. Ashok Nehru,

Gurgaon

� Mr. & Mrs. Jitendra Jain,

UK

� Mr. & Mrs. Boman Cama,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Ashok Krishnadas,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Phiroz Patel,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Shivinder Chawla,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Hector Patel,

UAE

� Mr. & Mrs. K.G. Ramanathan,

Mumbai

� Mr. & Mrs. Jyoti Bhatt,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Essam Al Tamimi,

UAE

� Mr. & Mrs. Arun Sawhney,

Mumbai

� Mr. & Mrs. Nirmal Bhogilal,

Mumai

� Mr. & Mrs. Kamal Sawhney,

Mumbai

� Mr. & Mrs. E.J. Paul,

New Delhi

� Mr. & Mrs. Kapil Grover,

Mumbai

� Mr. Piyush Shah,

Vadodara

� Mr. Dalbir Kapur,

New Delhi

� Mr. Baljit Kapur,

New Delhi

� Mr. Vijay Chowgule,

Goa

� Mr. Rumi Verjee,

London

� Mr. Greg Romine,

China

� Mr. Chris Andre,

London

� Mr. Parth Amin,

Bangalore

1716

� Dr. R.D. Pandit,

Mumbai

� Ms. Jyoti Patel,

Vadodara

� Ms. Trupti Singh,

Vadodara

� Ms. Amar Patel Amin,

Vadodara

� Ms. Malini Bhatt,

Vadodara

� Ms. Anjali Ela Menon,

New Delhi

� Ms. Priya Paul,

New Delhi

� Mrs. K.R. Dorabji,

Vadodara

� Mrs. Nargis Katpitia,

Vadodara

� Mrs. Jill Beckingham,

Mumbai

� Ms. Karishma Grover,

Mumbai

� Ms. Neha Grover,

Mumbai

� Ms. Neela Desai,

Vadodara

� Ms. Daksha J. Vyas,

Vadodara

� Ms. Rini Dhumal,

Vadodara

� Mr. & Mrs. Gulam Sheikh,

Vadodara

Mr. Dhirubhai Mistry�s Musings

Donation Options

20,000Adopt education of a child for 1 year

10,000

200,000

270,000

Adopt education of a child for half year

Adopt education of a class (10 students) for 1 year

Hot Mid-Day Meal for 151 children

15,000

Annual Maintenance cost for

Computer Laboratory

216,000Per year

Adopt the School Bus Programme(Expenses for regular running and Maintenance)

18,000Per month

Adopt the School Bus Programme(Expenses for regular running and Maintenance)

20,000

Batteries and cord of hearing aids for poor children for 1 year(20 students x INR 1,000 per child)

22,000

Moulds of hearing aids for poor children for 1 year(20 students x INR 1,100 per child)

1752,100

26,250

Photocopying of �Adapted Text�* (Text Book)

Per child

12 children x INR 175 (per class)

150 children x INR 175 (for all children)

* Gujarat State Board Text books are adapted (re-written) by skilled persons as per the needs of the children to make

learning easy, interesting and possible. It is then photocopied and given to all the students.

Office Bearers

Chairman Mr. Karan Grover

TrusteesMr. Jal Patel, Mr. Hasmukhbhai Shah

Honourary Principal / Managing TrusteeMs. Nisha Grover

18 19

વડોદરા ના સૌથી કોલાહલ ભયા� મગંળબ�ર િવ�તારમા ંએકસો પચાસ (૧૫૦) થી વધાર�

િવધાથ� - િવધાથ�િનઓની શાળામા ંએકદમ નીરવ શાિંત હતી. આ બાળકો બોલવા માટ�

ુ�ય�ન કર� ર�ા હતા. પોતે કઈ કહવ� ા માગેં છે. પણ �દરતે તઓેની બોલવા-

સાભંળવાની �થંી વગર જ જ�મ આ�યો છે. પણ એમ હારવાથી બસેી રહ�� ંુઆ બાળકોને

પાલવ ે તમે નથી. તઓે �ય�ન કર� ર�ા છે. આ ભગીરથ �ય�ન કરાવી ર�ા છે અ�ર

શાળા ના સચંાલકો.

"�દુ હ� કો કર �લુદં ઇતના……………… ના જ�બા ને આ�મસાત કર� ર�ા છે.

ુઆ અ�ર શાળાના બાળકો અને ��ુજનોની સમ�યા ગભંીર છે. પણ ઇરાદો અડગ છે.

આ બાળકોને સમાજના ��ુય �વાહમા ંલાવવા છે. �ધ �ય��તમા ંજો એકાદ �કરણની

રોશની આવ ેતો ત�ે ંુ�વન �કાશમય બની શક� છે. એજ ર�તે આ �કુ બધીર બાળકો

થોડા શ�દો ક� �વર બોલી શક�, તો િવચારો ક� ક�ટલો આનદં તઓે પામી શક�.

આ ય�મા ંઆપણે સૌ જોડાઈ શક�એ છ�એ, િવિવધ �કાર� થોડો સમય સમિપત� કર�ને

આિથક� સહયોગ આપીને અને સૌથી િવશષે �મે આપીન.ે

ુ ુ- ધી� િમ�ી, ��ખ, લાયન કલબ ઓફ બરોડા (મઈેન)

Trusts, Foundations & Corporates which have donated

� United Technologies Corporation, USA

� Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., Vadodara

� Vidya Vikas Charitable Trust Mr. Ashok Mehta, USA

� HNG Float Glass Ltd.Mr. Kailash Jain, Mumbai

� United Way of Baroda, Vadodara

� Shapoorji Pallonji Charity Trust, Mumbai

� Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, New Delhi

� Blue Star Foundation, Mumbai

� Share & Care Foundation, USA

� Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai

� Amway Opportunity Foundation, Vadodara

� Samaj Kalyan Trust, Vadodara

� G.H. Patel Charitable Trust, Vadodara

� Sanskruti Foundation, Porbandar

� Paul Mason Consulting (India) Pvt. Ltd.Mr. Paul Mason, UK

� Sterling Biotech Ltd. Sandesra Group, Vadodara

� Conmat Systems Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Premraj, Vadodara

� Prosea International Ltd.Mr. James Fitzgerald, South Africa

� Mehta Charitable Trust, MumbaiMr. & Mrs. Jitendra Mehta

(INR)

Guests' Comments

20

Akshar Centre for Hearing Impaired Childrenand Teacher Training

11th Floor, Kirti Tower, Next to Kirti Mandir, Tilak Road, Vadodara - 390001

Ph.: 0265 - 2427522 / 44 | School: 0265 - 6458117 � Fax: 0265 - 2427599

Email: akshartrust@gmail.com � www.akshartrust.org � www.baroda.com/akshar.php

cognito